Comets celebrate commanding win over QLD

ACT/NSW Country Comets have celebrated an emphatic win over Queensland in their opening match of the 2018/19 Toyota Futures League season.

A patient first innings run fest setup the Comets as they went on to defeat Queensland by an innings and 184 runs at Manuka Oval.

Queensland won the toss on Monday morning and went in to bat.

Queensland opening pair Pfeffer and Street failed to fire with Trent Copeland picking up the wicket of Street early in the day. It was a quick collapse from there with Queensland falling to 4-83 before the lunch break on day one. Greg West came out firing in the second session and picked up 3-29 to help the Comets dismiss the away side for just 119 with the pace attack of Pinson (1-29), Copeland (3-27) and McAndrew (2-33) all contributing.

Nick Larkin and Dan Hughes opened the batting for the Comets and were disciplined and patient as they went to combine for a 240-run opening partnership. Larkin hit 26 fours and 3 sixes on his way to a double century from 320 deliveries while Hughes made 115 in his first match for ACT/NSW Country.

Sangha (48), Lenton (84) and Macdonald (56) all contributed as Comets declared on 6-575 with a day and a half remaining and Queensland trailing by 456 runs.

Queensland’s Ben Hunter gave it his best effort with a superb middle order spell of 141 from 195 but the Comet bowlers got the job done with Ben Taylor (3-129) and Copeland, Pinson and McAndrew all picking up two.